chormann



2. Sheets-Sheet 1 (N0 Mqdel.)

A. W. GHORMANN. STATION INDIGATOR.

,47'7.- Pat ente d July" 11, 1-893;

wll li lll Wilnesses.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. W. OHORMANN. STATION INDICATOR.

No. 501,477. Patented July 11', 1893.

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ATENT ALVIN IV. OHORMANN, OF WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

STATION-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming art of Letters Patent imam-m7, dated July 11, 1893. Application filed ieptember 28, 1892. Serial No. 447,103- (No model.)

To all whom it may 0070007741.-

Be it known that I, ALVIN W. CHORMANN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Washington, in the county of WVashington and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to indicators for railway cars and consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, as hereinafter described and claimed.

v In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an indicator provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 isa vertical section taken on line 00-00 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the indicator, certain parts being removed. Fig. 4 illustrates the ratchet mechanism employed and other details. Fig. 5 illustrates a locking latch and other details employed in connection therewith. Fig. 6 further illustrates the ratchet mechanism.

A designates the casing of the indicator which is provided with a front door having openings in which plates of glass are set through which the words and. figures on the indicating apron may be seen. Within the casing A are journaled, in suitable bearings, a rotative shaft B, a roller 0, above said shaft, and a roller D, below said shaft. On one end of the central shaft Bis mounted a gear-wheel E and on the extended journals of the rollers.

O and D are mounted respectively the pinions at and b. As seen in Fig. 3, the journal of roller D is extended farther than the jour nal of the upper roller 0, and the pinion b is not on the same vertical line with the pinion a; the gear wheel E, however, may be putin connection with either of said pinions bya longitudinal movement of the shaft B as hereinafter set forth. The opposite end of the. shaft B is extended through the casing A and are journaled in suitable hearings, in position in front of the larger rollers O and D.

H indicates an apron which is connected at one end with the roller 0 and from thence is passed about the two rollers F and G and then connected with the roller D, the apron being so applied that it may be wound upon either of the rollers O, D, and at the same time drawn from the other. On the apron H are marked the changeable, indicating words and figures, and the movements of said apron are effected by the following described mechanism.

On the extended shaft B is a ratchet Wheel fand pivotally connected with said shaft is a yoke awhich carries a number of spring pawls i in position to connect with wheel f. These pawls i are of different lengths-see Fig. 6so that, at least, one of said pawls will conneetpromptly with the ratchet f. The yoke e is connected by a double connecting rod m with the lower end of an elbow lever I, pivoted in the top of the casingA, a guard Z serving to keep the rod m in position. A circular diskp is fast on a journal of the rollerO and has two projections 0" located at opposite points on the disk. A'locking latch o is pivoted in position to connect with the disk 19 and a catch 71. extends from the rod m, in position to engage the latch when the rod moves downward. The said latch 0 has a tongue 3, for connection with the projections 'r severally, and a lip o to strike the edge of the disk when the latch descends.

The latch 0 is usually held in its raised po sition by the catch it as seen in Fig. 3, and when it is desired to make a movement of the apron H and thus change the indicator, this is done by drawing a cord 2. attached to the elbow-lever I, whereby the connecting rod m is drawn upward, thus effecting, through the-yoke e and ratchet mechanism, a partial rotation of the shaft B; this movement being communicated from said shaft, through gearing, to the rollers on which the apron H is mounted, a movement of the latter is produced, and at the same time the latch 0 is released from the catch a on the rod m and said latch closes by gravity on the disk 19, the tongue 3 of the latch coming in position to stop the rotation of the rollers by the contact of one of the projections r with said tongue. The parts are so constructed that out of connection with one of the pinions a,

b, and into connection with the other pinion; such shifting being for the purpose of changing the direction of the movement of the apron H on the rollers.

A short sleeve u is placed loosely on the shaft B and serves to keep the yoke e and ratchet mechanism in place.

J and K indicate two aprons which are mounted on rollers journaled in the lower part of the case A at the front, said aprons being intended to bear the names of stopping places on the route. Finger pieces y are formed on the journals of these rollers so that the latter may be turned by hand.

I claim 1. The combination, with a casing, of a rotative shaft journaled therein, aseries of rollers with shafts connecting therewith by spur gearing, a ratchet and pawl connected with said shaft, a connecting rod having a catch fastened thereto, a disk, provided with projections and connected with one of said rollers, a pivoted latch, in position to connect with said disk and with the catch on said connecting rod, and a pivoted hand-lever, substantially as set forth for the purposes described.

2. The combination with a rotative shaft, adjustable lengthwise, of a yoke and ratchet mechanism connected with said shaft, a series of rollers and gearing, a disk connected with one of said rollers and provided with one or more projections r, a rod connected with said ratchet mechanism and with a pivoted lever, a catch on said connecting rod, and a pivoted latch in position to connect with said catch and with said disk, substantially as set forth and described.

In testimony whereof I have aifixed my signature in presence-of two witnesses.

ALVIN V. OHORM ANN.

Vitnesses:

EDWARD A. PAUL, S1-., A. RUPPERT. 

